Mediaset Acquire EuroBasket Rights

Mediaset España have joined a growing number of international broadcasters to secure the television rights for basketball's top properties in the next three years, including the next two EuroBaskets.

Basketball's world governing body FIBA and Mediaset España have reached an agreement for Mediaset to broadcast EuroBasket 2013 in Slovenia and EuroBasket 2015 in Ukraine; as well as the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup to be staged in Spain.

FIBA have to date secured broadcast deals for EuroBasket 2013 in 139 countries and territories around the world while a number of agreements are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.

Viewers in Spain will be able to follow the games of their national teams in these major international tournaments on television on the traditional TV channels of Mediaset as well as on the online platform www.mitele.es.

Two-time reigning European champions Spain, have qualified for EuroBasket 2013 and will aim to win a third consecutive continental title, in Slovenia, 4-22 September.

As hosts of the first-ever World Cup, Spain are automatically qualified for the 2014 event, while they have also secured their presence at the EuroBasket 2015, to be played in Ukraine.

"This is the first time that Mediaset España includes national team basketball in its sports offer and we are proud of doing it now, when the national team is at its best," said Ghislain Barrois, Head of Rights Acquisition of Mediaset España.

FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member Patrick Baumann endorsed the partnership with Mediaset España.

"It is a great pleasure for us to announce this signed agreement with Mediaset España - a leading broadcaster in Spain - especially in view of the fact that the first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup will be played in Spain in 2014," he said.

Through this agreement, Mediaset Sport has diversified and broadened its commitment to Spanish sport and its viewers. It now offers its viewers, free of charge, top-level sporting events such as the Liga BBVA matches, Spain's games prior to the football World Cup in 2014, the MotoGP World Championship and the UEFA Europa League.